[Proteases and tumor invasion].
Degradation of basement membranes is a common feature in the vicinity of carcinomas. It is likely explained by the action of various proteinases, some being produced by tumor cells themselves and some originating in the surrounding tissues. The proteinases which are involved in this lytic process are numerous. Among them one has to stress first plasminogen activators and plasmin and on the other side collagenases. Actually these enzymes seem to have a coordinate action, so as to be described as a proteolytic cascade. Another important factor lies in the existence of proteinases inhibitors. If the balance between proteinases and their inhibitors is altered, basement membranes can be degraded, allowing tumor cells to pass through them, as shown by in vitro experiments.
Burtin
P
P
Laboratoire d'Immunochimie UPR 277, IRSC, 7, Villejuif, France.
Durliat
M
M
D000818:Animals; D001485:Basement Membrane / Q000473:pathology; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D010450:Endopeptidases / Q000378:metabolism*; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness
D010450:Endopeptidases
Protéinases et invasion tumorale.